Six dead after seven hour downpour in Argentina
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — At least six people have been killed in floods caused by torrential rain in the Argentine port city of Bahia Blanca, local authorities said Friday.
Seven hours of nonstop downpours left the city of 350,000 people — located 600 kilometers (about 375 miles) south of the capital Buenos Aires — largely under water, and forced authorities to evacuate the Jose Penna hospital.
Television images showed medical personnel evacuating babies from the hospital’s neonatal unit, and the army was deployed to assist in the city’s rescue efforts.
In all, around 1,000 people were brought to safety.
The provincial government said it was sending helicopters, canoes, ambulances and trucks bearing food, water and equipment to the stricken city.
